Updated 6:42 pm, Monday, April 1, 2013

Regarding "Duane Buck" (Page B6, Wednesday), it is common sense for the Texas courts to give Duane Buck a new sentencing hearing.

Buck must be punished, but Texans cannot tolerate racial bias in our criminal justice system. As we fight racial bias in hiring practices of employers or admission to our colleges and universities, so too must we reject this same bias when assigning the death penalty.

The previous Texas attorney general said that Buck deserved a new and fair hearing where race is not a factor. Even the surviving victim in the case, one of the trial prosecutors and former Texas Gov. Mark White support new sentencing, as do numerous others. They all rightly agree that race should not play a role in the administration of justice.

Support on this case has come from all corners of Texas. I hope our courts hear these voices and allow Buck to receive the fair sentencing all defendants, regardless of race, are entitled to.

Regarding "Curious grade for teachers: nearly all pass, exceed" (Page A6, Sunday), sounds more like a Communist system that is always outcome based.

An outcome-based system is one where amongst smoke and mirrors the results are always in support of the status quo power group, and taxpayer money is deliberately wasted in schemes to prevent the money being used effectively.